NO20141397A1 - Activation tool for displacing a component in a well tube and method for customizing the activation tool - Google Patents

Abstract

Activation tool (1) for connection to and displacement of a component (40) in a well pipe (4), wherein the activation tool (1) comprises: - a drive device (8) which can be axially displaced in two axial directions; - a sleeve-shaped release member (14) provided with an annular end portion (52); - a gripper holder (20) axially displaceable in the release member (14) and displaced by the driving device (8); - axially longitudinal recesses (24) in the gripper holder (20); - at least two radially outwardly spring-biased and radially displaceable gripping members (26) positioned in each recess (24) and complementary to each of the gripping recesses (42) of the component (40), and each gripping member (26) provided with an inclined rear portion (48); such that the gripping means (26) are retracted in the trigger means (14) in the passive positions of the gripping means (26) and the gripping means (26) are displaced, at least in part, by the trigger means (14) in the active positions of the gripping means (26), such that that: the end portion (52) abuts against the inclined rear portions (48) of the gripping means (26) as the gripper holder (20) is pulled inwardly into the trigger member (14), so that the gripping means (26) can be alternately switched between taking an active position and a passive position. Also described is a method of shifting the gripper (26) in the actuation tool (1).

Description

ACTIVATION TOOL FOR DISPLACEMENT OF A COMPONENT IN A WELL PIPE AND PROCEDURE FOR ADJUSTING THE ACTIVATION TOOL

This invention relates to a device for connecting to and moving a component in a well pipe. More specifically, it concerns a device for connecting to and displacing a component in a well pipe, where the device comprises an actuator with a drive device, and where the activation tool further comprises at least two spring-biased grippers in the radial outward direction which complementarily fit into grip recesses in the component , and which is designed to be triggered by a triggering device.

During work in a borehole, for example in a petroleum well, it is often necessary to be able to move a component located in the well. The component can typically be an operating device for a valve.

An operating device of this type is typically made up of a concentric sleeve in a well pipe where gripping recesses are arranged in the sleeve wall for connecting operating equipment, and where the operating equipment is arranged to be able to displace the operating device. Operating equipment according to known technology is adapted to the internal diameter of the operating device and provided with gripping devices that fit in the gripping recesses.

For various well technical reasons, restrictions may be arranged upstream of the valve in the well pipe. The restriction can be designed with a significantly smaller internal diameter than the well pipe. For example, in a well pipe with an internal diameter of 118 mm, there may be a restriction that has an internal diameter of 71 mm. Such restrictions limit the access to operating equipment that is located further inside the well.

Over time, deposits of particulate material will settle on components in the well pipe. Such deposits can also settle on grip recesses and any control recesses in the operating device for a valve. The deposits can prevent the control device's gripper from engaging with the control device's grip recesses and steering recesses. The operating equipment can overcome this problem by pressing the gripper with sufficient radially directed force so that the deposits are pushed out of the gripper recesses and guide recesses or, alternatively, the deposits are compressed so that a functionally reliable contact is achieved between the gripper and the operating member.

Over time, the operating device may become slower to move along the central axis of the well pipe. If the gripping recesses are not pressed with sufficient radial force while the operating member is displaced, the gripping member may be pressed radially inwards towards the center axis of the well pipe and lose contact with the gripping recesses. Patent document WO 2010/062186 describes an activation tool which is arranged to be able to be moved through a restriction and where the gripping means are mounted on relatively long leaf springs. It has been found that the device according to patent document WO 2010/062186 requires a centric positioning in its working position in order to achieve safe function. It has also been found that the leaf springs do not provide sufficient radial thrust on the gripping members to ensure that they are functionally safe when there are deposits in the gripping recesses and the control recesses in the operating member.

Patent document WO 2010/114383 describes a tool for use in a well pipe. The tool is provided with at least one gripping member which is pressed radially outwards by radially directed springs

between the underside of the gripper and an inner cylinder. An outer housing holds the gripper in a passive position. The gripper takes an active position by the outer housing being displaced relative to the inner cylinder by pulling on a cable that extends from the tool eye to the surface. An axially acting spring holds the housing in the passive position.

The spring is compressed when the tool is activated. A spring-loaded locking bolt locks the housing in the active position so that the housing will not be pushed back to the passive position by the axially acting spring. The spring-loaded gripping member is held in its active position in place in a recess in the inner cylinder by a first parapet resting against a shoulder in the inner cylinder and by an opposite, second parapet resting against the inner, lower edge of the housing. After the tool has been activated, the tool must be guided out of the well pipe in order for it to be deactivated, as the locking bolt's locking of the housing cannot be undone when the tool is in the well pipe, and because the lower edge of the housing will butt against a step-off in the gripper formed by the second parapet.

It is desirable that the gripping means can be easily replaced. A first gripping member is arranged to be able to displace the operating member in a first axial direction. A second gripping member is arranged to be able to displace the operating member in a second axial direction. It is therefore advantageous that the activation tool can be provided with a first gripping means or a second gripping means in a quick and simple way.

The purpose of the invention is to remedy or to reduce at least one of the disadvantages of known technology, or at least to provide a useful alternative to known technology.

The purpose is achieved by the features indicated in the description below and in the subsequent patent claims.

The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The independent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In a first aspect, the invention relates more specifically to an activation tool for connecting to and displacing a component in a well pipe where the activation tool comprises: - a drive device which can be axially displaced in two axial directions; - a sleeve-shaped release member provided with an annular end portion; - a gripper holder which is axially displaceable arranged in the release member and is displaced by the drive device; - axially longitudinal recesses in the gripper holder; - at least two radially outwardly spring-loaded and radially displaceable grippers which are positioned in each recess and which complementarily fit into each gripper recess in the component, and each gripper is provided with an inclined rear part; so that the gripper members are retracted into the trigger member in the gripper member's passive positions, and the gripper member, at least partially, is displaced out of the trigger member in the gripper member's active positions, characterized by the end portion coming into contact with the gripper member's inclined rear portions when the gripper holder is pulled into the trigger member , so that the gripping means can optionally be switched between assuming an active position and a passive position.

By the fact that the gripper holder can be repeatedly moved into and out of the trigger member in one and the same operation in the well pipe, it is achieved that the activation tool can optionally move a component or pass passively past a component in the well pipe.

The release member can be provided with an axially directed surface in its annular end portion on its inside; and the gripping member can be provided with an axially directed holding surface between a gripping hook and the inclined rear part; so that the axially directed surface can rest against the holding surface in the passive position of the gripper.

The gripping member can be provided with a first parapet and a second opposing parapet. The recess can be provided with a releasable stopper, and the releasable stopper can be provided with a first cantilever which projects beyond the first parapet of the gripping member when the gripping member is positioned in the recess. The stopper may form a holder for the first parapet. A guide can be provided with a second cantilever which projects beyond the gripper's second parapet when the gripper is positioned in the recess. The steering guide can form a holder for the second parapet.

The release member can be connected to the housing of the drive device and the gripper holder can be connected to the working member of the drive device.

The activation tool may be designed to include a sensor.

In a second aspect, the invention relates more specifically to a method for inserting a gripper in a gripper holder in an activation tool as described above, where the gripper holder comprises a recess and the gripper comprises two opposite parapets, where the method comprises the steps of: a) loosening a holder for a cantilever projecting into the recess so that the cantilever can be removed from the recess; b) positioning the gripping member in the recess such that one of the parapets is displaced under one of the cantilevers; and c) fix the holder so that the cantilever protrudes inward of the opposite parapet of the parapet referred to in step b).

Step a) may comprise loosening a stopper and step c) may comprise securing the stopper. Step a) may, as an alternative, include detaching a detachable guide from the gripper holder's free end part and step c) can include securing the guide guide to the gripper holder's free end part. Steps a) and c) may, according to the aforementioned alternative, comprise respectively loosening and fixing the steering guide to the gripper holder with at least one bolt.

The method may further include the steps to:

di) repeat step a);

ei) displacing the gripping member out of the recess;

fi) providing an alternative gripping means; and

ei) repeat steps b) - c).

The method may further include the steps to:

d2) repeat step a);

e2) displacing the gripper out of the recess;

f2) turn the gripper 180°; and

e2) repeat steps b) - c).

In what follows, an example of a preferred embodiment is described which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows an activation tool in accordance with the invention where the activation tool is being displaced in a restriction in a well pipe; Fig. 2 shows the activation tool where the activation tool's gripper is in position to be able to engage with a component; Fig. 3 shows the activation tool after the component has been displaced and the gripping means are in their active position; Fig. 4 shows an axial section of the activation tool on a larger scale where the activation tool's gripping member is in its retracted passive position; Fig. 5 shows the same as in Fig. 4, but where the activation tool's gripping member

is in its active position; and

Fig. 6 shows a section V-V in figure 5.

In the drawings, the reference number 1 denotes an activation tool which is connected to a wireline tractor 2 and which is located in a well pipe 4. The well pipe 4 has a central axis 6.

The activation tool 1 comprises a drive device 8 which is often referred to as "stroker". The drive device 8 can be made up of an electric or hydraulic power machine which comprises a sleeve-shaped housing 10, and which is arranged in a manner known per se to be able to displace a centric working member 12 relative to the housing 10 in the direction along the central axis 6 of the well pipe 4, see figures 4 and 5.

A sleeve-shaped trigger member 14 is connected in its one end portion to the housing 10 by means of a threaded sleeve 16. The trigger member 14 is externally provided with a number of axially longitudinal ridges 18 distributed around the trigger member 14, which are arranged to facilitate displacement of the activation tool 1 in the well pipe 4.

A gripper holder 20 which is displaceably arranged in the release member 14 is connected to the working member 12 by means of a threaded connection 22. The gripper holder 20 is provided with axially longitudinal recesses 24. The figures show three recesses 24, but the number of recesses 24 can be two or more than three. A gripping member 26 is positioned in each recess 24.

The gripping means 26 are tensioned outwards by means of a number of springs 28 which are located between the recess 24 and their respective gripping means 26.

A guide 34 is attached to the free end part of the gripper holder 20 by means of bolts 36.

The gripper 26 is provided with a first parapet 27 and an opposite second parapet 29. A stopper 30 is releasably fixed with one or more screws (not shown) in one end part of the recess 24 facing away from the guide 34. The stopper 30 is provided with a first cantilever 37 which projects beyond the first parapet 27 of the gripping member 26. The stopper 30 constitutes a holder for the cantilever 37. The guide guide 34 is provided with a second cantilever 39 which projects beyond the second parapet 29 of the gripping member 26 as shown in figures 4 and 5. The guide guide 34 constitutes a holder for the cantilever 39. The gripping member 26 is prevented from being able to be completely displaced from the recess 24 by the fact that the first parapet 27 and the second parapet 29 rest respectively against the first cantilever 37 and the second cantilever 39 when the gripping member 26 is in its active position as shown in figure 5.

The gripping members 26 are externally provided with a gripping hook 38 which complementarily fits into the gripping recesses 42 of a component 40, here in the form of an operating member. The gripping members 26 are also provided with a guide bead 44 which is designed to be able to prevent the gripping members 26 from unintentionally engaging during displacement in the well pipe 4. The guide bead 44 must be placed in a guide recess 46 in the component 40 in order for the gripping hook 38 to engage in the gripping recess 42.

The gripper 26 is provided with an inclined rear part 48 which has an angle 50 to the central axis 6 which is less than 90 degrees and preferably less than 45 degrees.

When the working member 12 pulls the gripper holder 20 inwards into the trigger member 14, the inclined rear part 48 of the gripper member 26 comes into contact with the annular end part 52 of the trigger member 14. The gripper member 26 is thereby forced inwards towards the center axis 6 against the force from the springs 28 and into its passive position, see figure 4 The ring-shaped end part 52 is provided on its inside with an axially directed surface 54. The gripping member 26 is provided between the gripping hook 38 and the rear part 48 with an axially directed holding surface 39. The surface 54 presses against the holding surface 39 so that the gripping member 26 is forced inwards towards the center axis 6 both at the front edge and rear edge of the gripping member 26 without the gripping hook 38 being displaced into the release member 14. The drive device 8 is designed to displace the centric working member 12 with great force. Thereby the radial force that the springs 28 exert on the gripping member 26 is overcome.

When the activation tool 1 is moved through a restriction 49 and placed in position at the component 40, as shown in Figure 2, the gripping means 26 can be activated to engage with the component 40. The component 40 is then moved to the desired position relative to the well pipe 4. The springs 28 exert a large radial force on the gripping member 26 so that any deposits in the gripping recesses 42 and any guiding recesses 46 are pushed out of the gripping recesses 42 and any guiding recesses 46 with the help of the gripping hooks 38 and the guiding beads 44 respectively. Any deposits can alternatively be compressed in the gripping recesses 42 and the guiding recesses 46 by the gripping hooks respectively 38 and the guide beads 44. This ensures that the gripper 26 achieves a good engagement with the component 40. The springs 28 can also be selected so that they exert a sufficient radial force on the gripper 26 so that the gripper 26 does not come out of engagement with the component 40 if the component 40 is heavy to displace in axial direction l angs the central axis of the well pipe 6. The drive device 8 acts via the working member 12 directly on the gripping member 26 and can thereby displace the component 40 with great force.

After the component 40 has been displaced, the gripping means 26 can be deactivated by the drive device 8 via the working member 12 pulling the gripper holder 20 into the release means 14. The activation tool 1 can be pulled out from the well pipe 4 through the restriction 49. In an alternative, the activation tool 1 can be moved further into the well pipe 4 for to activate another component 40. In its passive position, the activation tool 1 can also optionally be moved past a component 40.

The design of the release member 14 causes the gripping members 26 to be kept away from the wall of the well pipe 4 during displacement in the well pipe 4.

The design of the activation tool 1 is such that it does not need to be in a central position in the well pipe 4 in order to engage with the component 40.

The invention makes it possible to turn or change gripping means 26 in the gripper holder 20 in a simple and quick way. The centric working member 12 is detached from the drive device 8. The working member 12 is displaced in relation to the release member 14 so that the entire recess 24 in the gripper holder 20 protrudes beyond the end portion 52 of the release member 14. The stopper 30 is detached and removed from the recess 24. Then the gripper member 26 is tilted out by turn this around the second parapet 29 which rests against the cantilever 39. The gripper 26 can be turned 180° and positioned in the recess 24 by bringing the first parapet 27 under the second cantilever 39. The stopper 30 is then fixed with its screws. The first projection 37 of the stop cleaner 30 rests against the second parapet 29 of the gripping member 26 and the stopper 30. Because of the springs 28, the gripping member 26 will press against the first projection 27. During tightening, the screws will press the stopper 30 down into the recess 24 against the force from the springs 28. Different gripping means 26 are replaced by the same procedure. The gripper 26 can also be turned or replaced by following an alternative procedure. The guide 34 is completely detached from the gripper holder 20 by loosening and removing the bolts 36 when the gripper 26 is in its active position. The gripper 26 is displaced axially out of the recess 24 in the direction towards the free end portion of the gripper holder 20. The gripper 26 can be turned 180° or an alternatively designed gripper 26 is then moved axially into the recess 24 from the free end portion of the gripper holder 20. The steering guide 34 is attached to the gripper holder 20 with the bolts 36.

An instrument holder 62 has also been made, which is here arranged in the steering guide 34 in order to be able to place various sensors not shown in the activation tool 1. In and of itself, necessary wire connections are also not shown.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the steering guide 34 can be provided in its free end part with a threaded part for connecting a logging string of a known type. The gang party can be centered. The logging string is provided in its one end section with a threaded portion for connection to the steering guide 34, and the logging string is provided with logging string components or sensors of a known type for obtaining data.

It should be noted that all of the above embodiments illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and those skilled in the art will be able to devise many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the dependent claims. In the requirements, reference numbers in parentheses should not be seen as limiting. The use of the verb "to comprise" and its various forms does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not mentioned in the claims. The indefinite articles "an", "ei" or "et" before an element do not exclude the presence of several such elements. The fact that certain features are listed in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be advantageously used.

Claims (13)

1. Activation tool (1) for connection to and displacement of a component (40) in a well pipe (4) where the activation tool (1) comprises: - a drive device (8) which can be axially displaced in two axial directions; - a sleeve-shaped release member (14) provided with an annular end portion (52); - a gripper holder (20) which is axially displaceable arranged in the release member (14) and is displaced by the drive device (8); - axially longitudinal recesses (24) in the gripper holder (20); - at least two radially outwardly spring-loaded and radially displaceable gripping members (26) which are positioned in each respective recess (24) and which complementarily fit into each respective gripping recess (42) in the component (40), and each gripping member (26) is provided with an inclined rear portion (48); so that the gripping members (26) are retracted into the trigger member (14) in the gripping members' (26) passive positions, and the gripping members (26), at least partially, are displaced out of the trigger member (14) in the gripping members' (26) active positions, characterized whereby: the end part (52) comes into contact with the inclined rear parts (48) of the gripping means (26) when the gripper holder (20) is pulled inward into the release means (14), so that the gripping means (26) can optionally be switched between assuming an active position and a passive position. 2. Activation tool (1) according to claim 1, where the release member (14) in its annular end part (52) is provided on its inside with an axially directed surface (54); and where the gripping member (26) between a gripping hook (38) and the inclined rear part (48) is provided with an axially directed holding surface (39); and where the surface (54) rests against the holding surface (39) in the passive position of the gripping member (26). 3. Activation tool (1) according to claim 1, where the gripping member (26) is provided with a first parapet (27) and a second opposing parapet (29). 4. Activation tool (1) according to claims 1 and 3, where the recess (24) is provided with a releasable stopper (30), and where the releasable stopper (30) is provided with a first projection (37) that projects beyond the gripping member's (26) first parapet (27) when the gripper (26) is positioned in the recess (24). 5. Activation tool (1) according to claims 1 and 3, where a guide (34) is provided with a second cantilever (39) which projects beyond the second parapet (29) of the gripper (26) when the gripper (26) is positioned in the recess (24). 6. Activation tool (1) according to claim 1, where the trigger (14) is connected to the housing (10) of the drive device (8) and the gripper holder (20) is connected to the working device (12) of the drive device (8). 7. Activation tool (1) according to claim 1, the activation tool (1) is designed to be able to have a sensor. 8. Method for inserting a gripper (26) into a gripper holder (20) in an activation tool (1) according to claim 1, where the gripper holder (20) comprises a recess (24) and the gripper (26) comprises two opposite parapets ( 27, 29), characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: a) loosening a holder (30; 34) for a cantilever (37, 39) which projects into the recess (24), so that the cantilever (37, 39) can be removed from the recess (24); b) positioning the gripping member (26) in the recess (24) so that one of the parapets (27, 29) is displaced under one of the cantilevers (37, 39); and c) fixing the holder (30; 34) so that the cantilever (37, 39) protrudes into the opposite parapet (27, 29) of the parapet (27, 29) in step b). 9. Method according to claim 9, where step a) comprises loosening a stopper (30) and step c) comprises fixing the stopper (30). 10. Method according to claim 9, where step a) comprises detaching a detachable guide (34) from the free end part of the gripper holder (20) and step c) comprises attaching the guide guide (34) to the free end part of the gripper holder (20). 11. Method according to claim 10, where steps a) and c) comprise respectively loosening and fixing the steering guide (34) to the gripper holder (20) with at least one bolt (36). 12. Method according to claim 9, where the method further comprises the steps to: di) repeat step a); ei) displacing the gripping member (26) out of the recess (24); fi) providing an alternative gripping means (26); and ei) repeat steps b) - c). 13. Method according to claim 9, where the method further comprises the steps to: d2) repeat step a); e2) displacing the gripping member (26) out of the recess (24); f2) turning the gripper (26) 180°; and e2) repeat steps b) - c).